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Anthrax Found in Cows in Indonesia's Makassar

Posted on: Wednesday, 16 November 2005, 09:00 CST

Anthrax found in cows in Indonesia's Makassar

JAKARTA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- At least three cows were confirmed by local test to be contracted by anthrax virus in Indonesia's South Sulawesi Province's capital of Makassar, officials told Xinhua by telephone on Tuesday.

Health authorities had taken measures to prevent the disease from spreading by isolating the area where the disease was found and vaccinating at least 200 cows nearby, said Supardi, official of the local Animal Husbandry Department.

Meanwhile, Muslihanaah, official of the Laboratory for Animal Test of the Balai Besar Veterinary in Maros Regency in the province also confirmed that "the result of test is positive anthrax...on three cows."

Another official of the laboratory, Jafar Muhammad, said that authorities had closed and isolated the village where the virus was found among some 600 cows raised by the community there.

"The area has been closed. There are about 600 cows there," he said.

An anthrax outbreak killed at least six Indonesians in October last year. Ministry of Health officials reported that infected goat meat was the cause.

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore- forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It mostly occurs in hoofed mammals and can also infect humans. Symptoms of the disease vary depending on how the disease is contracted, but usually occur within seven days after exposure.

The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated food and is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract.

Source: Xinhua News Agency - CEIS

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